General Gola:"Aosta Valley proved to have the capacity to return into the circuit of the ski world cup and the big international sports events

President Rollandin: the Winter Military World Games of Aosta Valley 2010 have been a resource for the region, and they will have positive effects both on territory and tourism.

(Aosta, March 25, 2010) – The success of the first Winter Military World Games was brought by a collaboration among all the parts involved: the armed forces, the civilian society, Aosta Valley Region, the municipalities involved, the local associations and the ski clubs.

General Gianni Gola, president of CISM, the International Council of Military Sports, wanted to express his satisfaction during the closing press conference. This morning in Aosta Valley Region palace, the General insured his personal effort to promote region efficiency and to bring back the Ski World Cup and other important international competitions. Gianfranco Kasper, president of FIS, International Ski Federation, took part in the meeting. Augusto Rollandin, president of the Aosta Valley Region and Aurelio Marguerettaz, Turism, Sport and Trade councillor, stressed this effort in their speeches. Mr. Rollandin said: “these Games have been important investments and will have positive influences on the environment. They showed also the organization efficiency in each venue”.Luigi Roth, president of the Organizing Committee, said: “We must be proud of the welcome that Aosta Valley gave to all international guests and also of the way we managed this event. In each venue we could count on the cooperation of everybody, from Aosta to Cogne, Pila, Gressoney, Flassin, Brusson and Courmayeur”.Italy got the first place in the medal standings, with a total of 16 medals: 6 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze. Rinaldo Sestili, who is in charge of Sport for the Defence Staff, said: “I will have the honour to bring to CONI this great sporting success”.

In conclusion, General Gola wanted to stress the peace message which emerged during this Games, both in the Forum “Sport for Peace”, which opened the event last Saturday, and the collaboration among all the participants. They were young soldiers and athletes from different countries, but all united by the same passion: sports, and above all sport as a message of peace and friendship between peoples.

The Cross-country Grand Prix CISM took place within the first Winter Military World Games; cross-country was a discipline presented as a demonstrative sport. The race, which covered a distance of 4600 mt for women and of 6900 mt for men, was opened to the FIDAS enrolled.